--- title: "Can Dogs Smell Cancer?" id: "202952" type: "post" slug: "can-dogs-smell-cancer" published_at: "2022-11-14T14:30:00+00:00" modified_at: "2022-12-20T14:58:28+00:00" url: "https://houstonpetland.com/2022/11/14/can-dogs-smell-cancer/" markdown_url: "https://houstonpetland.com/2022/11/14/can-dogs-smell-cancer.md" excerpt: "Dogs have helped humans out over hundreds of years. From rescuing people, to tracking missing persons, to detecting bombs, to herding sheep. One of the most amazing abilities that dogs are also known for is their ability to detect certain..." taxonomy_category: - "Community" --- [Home](https://houstonpetland.com/) / [Blog](https://houstonpetland.com/blog/) / **Can Dogs Smell Cancer?** [Community](https://houstonpetland.com/category/petland/) # Can Dogs Smell Cancer? November 14, 2022 · 3 min read · [cosmick](https://houstonpetland.com/author/cosmick/) [Stay connected via Google News Follow Us For The Latest Pet Updates and Guides.](https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=houstonpetland.com) Dogs have helped humans out over hundreds of years. From rescuing people, to tracking missing persons, to detecting bombs, to herding sheep. One of the most amazing abilities that dogs are also known for is their ability to detect certain types of cancers in people. Recent studies have confirmed that certain trained dogs may be able to detect cancer in people about 40% of the time. Although this is very far from being perfected, it does go to show just how amazing dogs are. ## **How do Dogs Detect this?** Dogs have an incredible sense of smell. Our fur-legged friends have up to 300 million olfactory receptors in their nose. To compare, the average person only has about six million olfactory receptors, making a dog’s nose forty times more sensitive than our noses! This is why dogs are commonly used in search and rescue missions, as they can trace a human scent for miles. When a dog smells, it actually smells in 3D. Their nose has been an amazing tool for their survival for thousands of years and continues to be their number one sense. ## Do All Dogs Smell Cancer? Untrained dogs do not have the ability to recognize cancer. Dogs that have this ability require a lot of training and testing. Currently, dogs that are trained to detect cancer are only being trained in a trial process. There is still much more research that needs to be completed before dogs can be used as a medically reliable detection source. Enjoying this read? You'll love our puppies. Adorable, vet-checked pups looking for their forever homes — available now. [Meet our puppies](https://houstonpetland.com/puppies-for-sale/) ## Will Doctors Use Eventually Dogs to Detect Cancer? It is very unlikely that a dog will be used as the only way to detect cancer, especially with all of the modern technology that exists today. It has not been fully determined whether dogs can be reliably trained to smell cancer at this point in time. At least not on a consistent basis. Proving that this method of cancer detection is accurate enough to use very well could be many years away, if ever. Even if we do reach the point where a dog can accurately detect cancer, it would be very difficult to train a dog to communicate what they have smelled without further testing being administered. ## **What Types of Cancer do Dogs Pick Up On?** - Breast cancer and lung cancer can at times be detected by sniffing the breath of patients. In these studies, it is thought that the dogs sensed biochemical differences in the exhalation of subjects with diagnosed cancer and subjects with no known cancer. - Bladder cancer and prostate cancer are also forms of cancer that certain dogs can pick up on, by sniffing the urine of patients. - Colorectal cancer has been detected by dogs too, by sniffing patients’ exhaled breathing and their stool samples. - Ovarian tumors can be hit on, by sniffing patient tumor samples and blood samples. - Cervical cancer is also a type of cancer that a dog is capable of finding, by sniffing patient biopsy samples. Although this type of cancer detection is a long way from being fully trusted, it is just another example at how amazing dogs are. Hopefully one day our fur-legged friends will be able to detect diseased as well as they currently assist humans in various other things. 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Get ready because you’re not just taking home a bundle of furry joy.… March 27, 2025 ``` Petland Katy 434 Google reviews Write a review Posted on Google Genesis Gonzalez Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My husband and I went to Petland on Saturday to simply look at the puppies and we ended up falling in love with one so much that we brought her home with us. Jennifer made the process of taking her home super easy and smooth, she answered every question we asked and was very knowledgeable about everything! Posted on Google ume rubab Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. it was really nice their all the animal were so cute !! The puppy’s and kittens were adorable !!❤️ Posted on Google Leslie Rivera Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Went to Petland to just browse around and ended up falling in love with our Maltipoo, her fur color and the eyes captivated me. Anthony our counselor, was very informative and friendly. I would greatly recommend this pet store. Can’t wait to start this new journey with our puppy. Posted on Google 12.xndrik Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. recently adopted a cavapool and Christopher helped us out a lot. He was helpfull, respectful , and walked us through the whole process. It was an amazing experience 10/10. Posted on Google Chris M Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Best place to work PUPPIES!!!! Posted on Google MIGUEL MOLINA Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great time. I was looking around with my family and Chris helped us out found a new family member. Great place to greet and play with dogs. Posted on Google David Almanza Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We visited Petland today and had an incredible experience choosing our new furry family member — a miniature Goldendoodle! From the moment we walked in, Christopher made us feel welcome, informed, and supported throughout the entire process. He was extremely knowledgeable about the breed, answered all our questions with patience, and never made us feel rushed. You could genuinely tell he cared about both the pets and the people. His friendly attitude and professionalism made the whole experience smooth and enjoyable. We left Petland not just with a puppy, but with total confidence that we were prepared for this new journey — all thanks to Christopher. If you're thinking about getting a pet and want a helpful, knowledgeable guide, ask for Christopher. He made our day. Highly recommend - 10/10! Posted on Google Diana Perez Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kalese and Chris were phenomenal and so attentive. They made me feel so welcome and so happy to be finally going home with our baby ```